Here is a collection of good reads gathered from across the internet this past week. Enjoy!
On biblical manhood: Nine Attributes of a Real Man by Vince Miller
In reading the grand story of God in the Bible, and searching for ideal representations of men among the kings, priests, prophets, warriors, and leaders we meet, we sense that something is never quite right. Sin has damaged the reflection of ideal masculinity. One biblical hero after another is shown to be wounded, broken, flawed, prone to disobedience and even to outright wickedness. And yet within the same men we see small glimpses of masculine glory: undeterred faith, unwavering conviction, humble service and sacrifice. But again only glimpses.
Until God himself breaks into time and space again to give us the model man. His Son, Jesus, is the perfect divine depiction of manhood. He defines true masculinity. (click here to read more)
On trials, suffering, and the gospel: Gospel Weariness by Tim Challies
All of this pain, all of this suffering, all of these trials had made him, had made them, weary. They were tired of suffering, tired of groaning under the weight of this world. “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). Rising up within them was an increased desire for a time, for a place, when all trials will be over.
This is a gospel weariness, a weariness I’ve heard described by others, a weariness I’ve begun to feel within. Gospel weariness elevates our perspective from our feet to the horizon, from the trials of this world to the hope of the world to come. It stirs within us a holy longing to be done with this life and to enter into the life to come. (click here to read more)
On love and humility: We Die a Thousand Ways in Love by Marshall Segal
If God himself was willing, in love, to wash even feet, why would we refuse to lower ourselves, in love, for one another? Christian love sets aside social status, cultural norms, and the comfort of convenience to joyfully meet the inconvenient needs of others. That kind of love looks like Jesus — the sinless God-man on his knees before the sinful men he came to save. (click here to read more)
On the church and the generations: Why Multi-generational Community Matters by Adam McClendon
We are to interact with people of all generations; nevertheless, we like people who are like us. Our tendency is to dismiss or disrespect those at different stations than ourselves as we look at life from our perspective without proper consideration of the younger and older saints in our churches.
We need multi-generational interaction and have to occasionally work against the tendency just to gather in our peer groups. We live in an increasingly segregated church culture resulting in us missing out on different perspectives of life that may bring wisdom. (click here to read more)
First Baptist Church 